Page 9 of Christmas Magic at Inishbeg Cove

Both men sprang into action at Úna’s command, and when the place setting was ready, Faye squeezed in beside Conor. The table was meant for eight but there was almost double that number squashed in around it elbow to elbow.

When everyone was finally sitting down, Paul lit the candles and the room was filled with a warm glow. Her mouth watered as she looked at the spread on the table before her. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten a proper dinner on Christmas day, if ever. The family bowed their heads and she realised they were saying grace. When they had finished, they all tucked into the food. She heaped roast and mashed potatoes, sprouts and peas, carrots and parsnips and milk white slices of tender turkey onto her plate. She had barely eaten since she left Dublin and she realised with all this food before her, she was starving.

‘You’re hungry,’ Úna remarked.

‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ She blushed and replaced the serving spoon back into the bowl. She was being greedy.

‘Don’t be silly,’ Úna said smiling kindly, ‘We have plenty so you fill your plate.’

Faye didn’t need to be told twice as she continued heaping more potatoes onto her plate.

‘You weren’t lying about the roast potatoes,’ she said to Conor through a mouthful. ‘These are good.’

‘I told you.’

After dinner Paul lit a brandy doused pudding and they devoured it. By the time they had finished eating, Faye could barely move. A warm fuzzy feeling spread through her as she watched the family chatting and laughing together. She noticed old school photos of Conor and Laura hanging on the wall behind her.

‘You really rocked those sideburns,’ Faye said nodding at Conor’s communion photo. A blonde haired Conor was dressed in a grey suit with a ruffled shirt beneath. ‘You were setting trends even back in the eighties,’ she teased.

Conor groaned. ‘I keep asking Mum to take that one down but she refuses.’

‘You were very cute.’

‘Right, Conor, help your father to clear off the table.’

Conor stood up and began gathering up the dirty plates before heading into the kitchen.

‘Are you Conor’s girlfriend?’ Róisín marched up to Faye and stared at her with big green eyes that didn’t blink.

‘No, no,’ she said quickly.

‘Faye is a friend of Auntie Margo’s,’ Laura followed her over and explained to the child.

‘Oh…’ she seemed disappointed. ‘Well, maybe you could you be his girlfriend first and then you could get married?’ she suggested.

‘Róisín!’ Laura chastised. ‘I’m sorry about that, Faye.’

‘But I reeeeally want a cousin and you said the only way I can get a cousin is if Uncle Conor ever decides to finally settle down.’

‘I-I didn’t say that–’ Laura said blushing furiously as she took the child by the hand. ‘Come here and leave, Faye alone,’ she hissed.

Faye saw Conor return to the room and she shot a look in his direction begging him to rescue her.

‘But that’s what you said!’ Róisín whined as Laura led her away.

‘What did they say now?’ Conor asked as he came over to her.

‘Oh, nothing really, just your niece asked me if I could marry you because she really wants a cousin.’

Conor laughed and shook his head. ‘Sorry about that,’ he said. ‘Guessing when I might get married is a family past-time.’

‘I can see that.’

‘Right then,’ Úna said clapping her hands together. ‘Time for charades. Same teams as last year.’

‘Faye you can come on my team,’ Kitty said patting the sofa beside her. ‘We’re the defending champions you know.’ She winked.

The game commenced and Faye was in tears laughing as Conor grew ever more frustrated as he tried to describe a film for his team. After a while Úna brought out turkey sandwiches and Conor kept her wine glass topped up. Conor wasn’t drinking any alcohol because he knew he needed to drive her home.